Brad Kisner

My experiences are anything but typical—I’ve built two distinct careers in design, one in the traditional design arena and another in design education. This dual path has given me a unique perspective, allowing me to be both a creator and a teacher. I thrive at the intersection of making and mentoring, blending hands-on design expertise with the ability to guide and inspire others.

With 25 years of experience as a communication designer, I understand that without a strong designer—one who masters hierarchy, color, and typography—design is just technology. A website, a campaign, a social post, or a package is just a vessel, but it’s the message and visual clarity that make it effective. My role is to shape that communication, ensuring every detail works toward a cohesive and memorable experience. 

Throughout my career, I’ve led teams, collaborated with global partners, and mentored designers at all levels—all while asking the right questions to arrive at the right solutions. I don’t see design as decoration; I see it as strategy. Whether developing creative systems, directing concepts, streamlining the design process, or aligning cross-functional teams, my focus is on how design functions to create impact. My background in theatre strengthens my ability to present ideas with clarity and confidence, ensuring engagement at every level. I bring an infectious positive attitude to every project, seeing opportunities where others see roadblocks. 

I’d love the opportunity to bring fresh energy, strategic thinking, and a collaborative spirit to a new team. My resume showcases a career focused on adaptability—gaining expertise in diverse industries, understanding their target audiences, and creating effective communication strategies that drive success. What it doesn’t show, however, is my ability to experiment, fail, and learn from decisions. It also doesn’t highlight my passion for communication design, my deep drive to create, or my ability to learn and grow from cross-functional partners, as I understand that alignment across all teams is key to success. 

I hope this sparks your curiosity, and that you'll reach out to explore how my experience, process, and approach to communication design can contribute to your team.

Master of Fine Arts
Graphic Design
University of Illinois at Chicago

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Studio Art-Design
Northern Illinois University